Wow, Rick, that's crazy. I emailed some locals I know to see if they heard anything. I'll keep you posted.
Lisa in CT.

Okay Rick, just got an email from a woman I know in Boston. Her sister lives in St. John. This is what the email said:

"She said it's happened before --and a couple of years ago it was really bad and a pain to get off her car. Said she woke up one morning and there was a film of grey grit all over her sheets and on every surface in her house. This time it hasn't been that bad tho she hasn't been able to see St. Thomas for a couple of days."

Here's a link to current observations on the ash cloud:

How long do these things usually last?

It really all depends on two things: how long the dust is flowing from the volcano AND mostly on wind direction. Normal wind patterns in this area are generally from the east northeast, but winds can shift and that's what happened yesterday. Here's an article from the Daily News: http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_home?id=17590938

My wife and I were on our Honeymoon on the island of Nevis in 1997 when Monseratt erupted. Nevis is much closer to Monseratt but none the less, the grey ash was everywhere. It is so fine it gets through vents, filters, and blankets everything you can possibly imagine. Snorkeling was impossible. The water was just very very cloudy and you could not see more than a few feet in front of you. Definitely an interesting experience. Hopefully it will clear up soon.

It's still a little hazy here on St Thomas this morning, but not as much as yesterday. I haven't noticed any film or ash on anything.

Brady,do you remember how long it took for the water to clear up?I'm going down in 2 weeks and snorkeling is the main reason.

Matt

Matt,

I am unsure how long it took to clear up but it was so hazy that the sunlight would not pass through the water like it normally does. Keep in mind the US Virgin Islands are much further away than Nevis so my educated guess would be that the ash is not as plentiful or as concentrated as it was in Nevis which is the island much closer. I think you will be fine with a few wind shifts and undisturbed activity from the volcano.

Let me know how you make out.

I was at Maho (on STJ) swimming 20 mins ago and the water was sooooo clear even though it is still alittle hazy, but it is better than Monday.

Thanks that eases my nerves a little.We're bringing the kids for the first time ,I wanted them to see the reefs.thanks again

Matt

My gosh you are soooooooo lucky ,I have 14 more days!!!!

Maho is my favorite place on this earth! Thanks for making me drool, Pia! 21 days!

My son is on his honeymoon in St. Kitts - 50 miles N of the volcano - I can't seem to find out if he was affected by the cloud, or if it blew to the west of St Kitts. Anyone know where to look?

This link was given above. If you click on the link, click on the picture, then click on the little icon in the lower right corner you can get a close up of the image.

Looks like most of the dust went to the southwest of St. Kitts.

Hope that helps,
Jennifer

Thanks Jen.

I think you are right - should provide them with fabulous sunsets.

Does anyone on STJ have an update for us anxious travellers regarding the ash problem in the air? Also, has it effected the water visibility.

Thanks.

Looking out my window now and all looks good, no let me say perfect 🙂 -about 95% back to normal - if you didn't know of the problem you probably wouldn't know anything had happened. Also as I reported yesterday in this thread (see above) the water yesterday at Maho was fabulous - perfectly clear.

I was on St John Monday, and until I read this thread I had no idea. It was a little hazy but nothing that affected the water.